Winterizing a Log Home
For homeowners with a second home, winterizing is a fundamental part of saying farewell to a log home or timber frame home for the long winter months. Although log cabins or log homes might be cozy little getaways, they still represent a large investment for any family. Proper winterizing techniques should be followed in order to ensure that the log home is not damaged while it is vacant. The last thing you want when you return to your log home in warmer months is extreme damage from the cold.
One of the most obvious steps in a properly winterized log home is to make sure there is no food left in either the cabinets or the refrigerator. Not only can rotting food permeate the home with a stench that is hard to remove, it will also attract any number of hungry animals that will certainly do further damage. Once the refrigerator is empty, it needs to be unplugged and the door must be propped open. A closed refrigerator that is not being used will develop unhealthy mold and mildew.
Plumbing
Assuming your log home will not be heated while you’re away, the plumbing needs to be drained to prevent the pipes from freezing. Once the water is turned off, leave kitchen, bathroom, and any exterior spigots open. At the lowest point in the plumbing system, the water needs to be drained completely. Water heaters and toilets should be drained as well. It helps to poor antifreeze in the toilet bowl and tank in order to prevent the porcelain from cracking.
Even if the system has been drained to the best your ability, any pipes that are exposed to the cold should be insulated using the appropriate materials. This is especially true for plumbing in crawl spaces, and plumbing that leads to outside spigots.
Exterior
You should check your log home thoroughly for any leaks. This should include a check of the log siding, windows, and doors, as well as the roof and chimney structure. Any leaks should be sealed with an exterior caulk, or other recommended sealant. The cold wind and rain during winter months can make its way through the tiniest leak, and do an incredible amount of damage.
If there are shutters on the windows they need to be closed securely. If there are no shutters the windows needed to be boarded up with a suitable material. Not only is this a good security measure, but it will prevent stray branches from going through a window during a bad storm. If any of the exterior doors have glass they should also be protected.
The chimney flue should be closed and secured to avoid animals and weather from entering. Any log home is fair game when homeowners are away. An animal looking for shelter can be pretty persistent so any possible entryway needs to be sealed.
Everything that is outside needs to be secured. Bird feeders and other small objects make wonderful projectiles when a strong wind takes them. Bird feeders should not be stored inside your log home unless they have be thoroughly cleaned.
Interior
Furniture, carpets, and mattresses should be protected from any mice that may be in the home. Safe chemicals are available to discourage them from building a nest. Dryer sheets also work well when randomly spread on areas that could be possible targets. If you’re going to place traps for rodents, a product that makes them leave the home in search of water should be used. Hoards of dying mice in a home is not a smell you want to come home to!
Everything needs to be unplugged regardless of whether the electricity is turned off or not. If the electricity is to be left on, breakers should be turned off at the main. If your log home uses any type of gas, it needs to be turned of, or the tank should be disconnected by your local provider.
The basics are straight forward. Keep your log home dry and keep the plumbing from freezing. Make the house as secure as possible and everything should work out just fine. If you follow these simple rules for winterizing your log home you’ll sleep much better through the long winter months!
Photo credit: KurtVon
Special thanks to Builder State Home Builders
